Even if you're a computer user keen on keeping your system healthy (i.e., you regularly delete unnecessary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and run Disk Defragmenter), you may be unaware of a potentially big waster of hard disk space: duplicate files. Applications can litter your hard disk with duplicate files, or you can actually create duplicate files by copying files from one folder to another.

Windows XP's default installation doesn't provide you with a decent utility for tracking down duplicate files. However, Microsoft does have a tool called Duplicate Finder, which is part of the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools. Here's how to install and use the Duplicate Finder tool:

Download the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools and follow the instructions for installing the Complete installation version.

Open the Run dialog box by pressing [Windows]R.

Type Dupfinder in the Open text box and click OK.

Once DupFinder loads, simply select the drive or folder to search and then click the Start Search button.

When DupFinder completes its search, you can scan through the list and examine the duplicate files.

Here are tips for working with the list of duplicate files:

Use either the Print Report or Export Data commands on the File menu to create a permanent record of the duplicate files.

Use the Sort command on the View menu to reorganize the list for better analysis.

To get more detailed information about any file, select the file, pull down the File menu, and select the Info command.

Leave duplicate files in the Windows folder and its subfolders alone.

If you don't recognize the duplicate file, it's better to use the Rename or Move commands on the File menu rather than the Delete command.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

Sanskruti

21May2007 16:39

Re: Manage/Delete Duplicate Files To Recover Disk Space in Widnows XP

This is really quite an important and interesting article. Especially for those people (includes me) who have habit of keeping unnecessary extra backups in their system here and there. And later they themselves can not figure out which one is the original backup. However the duplicate finder you mentioned is only available with Original Microsoft Windows(Genuine Microsoft Windows). Unfortunately in India, there are a still lot users with pirated versions. So for them this is not available. Further other operating systems such as Linux or Mac there is also need for this type of utility. A search with words "duplicate finder" or some thing similar, in SF.net or download.com can get you third party free duplicate finders for windows as well as other operating systems.

shabbir

21May2007 16:58

Re: Manage/Delete Duplicate Files To Recover Disk Space in Widnows XP

I have the windows XP professional SP2 but does not have the dupfinder tool?

Or may be an enthusiastic C or C++ or even a Java programmer with some time can easily write a similar application as per his/her own requirements.

shabbir

21May2007 18:56

Re: Manage/Delete Duplicate Files To Recover Disk Space in Widnows XP

I already have the latest SP2 with all the updates installed. I need to check out the other one.

senaratne

29Sep2009 23:41

Re: Manage/Delete Duplicate Files To Recover Disk Space in Widnows XP

Thanks for this informative article. I have always been in the habit of leaving my files here and there. Hereafter, I will arrange them in proper order and remove the duplicates.

books369

5Mar2010 11:18

Re: Manage/Delete Duplicate Files To Recover Disk Space in Widnows XP

this did not work for me, i opened run and typed dupfiles and nothing?

J.barse

8Jul2010 12:57

Re: Manage/Delete Duplicate Files To Recover Disk Space in Widnows XP

hi guys ,

I am new here , Its very useful article.I also did this very often,copy my files , photos , songs here & there unmanageably which generates many duplicates on my drive and searching them manually was very difficult.then one of my frnd suggested me a tool duplicate file remover , it comes along with Advanced system optimizer. I dowloaded it from google.com :pleased: just type Advanced system optimizer and download it :nice:

You can use it according to ur needs as it includes many other tools as well.its a nice softwares .Lets experience the difference.

Gr8 going gyus :)

J.barse

8Jul2010 13:04

Re: Manage/Delete Duplicate Files To Recover Disk Space in Widnows XP

Quote:

Originally Posted by senaratne
(Post 58194)

Thanks for this informative article. I have always been in the habit of leaving my files here and there. Hereafter, I will arrange them in proper order and remove the duplicates.

I am new here , Its very useful article.I also did this very often,copy my files , photos , songs here & there unmanageably which generates many duplicates on my drive and searching them manually was very difficult.then one of my frnd suggested me a tool duplicate file remover , it comes along with Advanced systen optimizer. I dowloaded it from google ...
Type Advanced system optimizer+download :smug:

You can use it according to ur needs as it includes many other tools as well.its a nice softwares .Lets experience the difference.